Devotionals Daily: A Year with Jesus – July 10, 2013

These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. –2 Corinthians 4:17 CEV

Keep an Eternal Perspective

What about the tragic changes God permits? . . . Who can find a place in life’s puzzle for the deformity of a child or the enormity of an earthquake’s devastation? When a company discontinues a position or a parent is deployed . . . do such moments serve a purpose?

They do if we see them from an eternal perspective. What makes no sense in this life will make perfect sense in the next. I have proof: you in the womb.

I know you don’t remember this prenatal season, so let me remind you what happened during it. Every gestation day equipped you for your earthly life. Your bones solidified, your eyes developed, the umbilical cord transported nutrients into your growing frame . . . for what reason? So you might remain enwombed? Quite the contrary. Womb time equipped you for earth time, suited you up for your postpartum existence. Some prenatal features went unused before birth. You grew a nose but didn’t breathe. Eyes developed, but could you see? Your tongue, toenails, and crop of hair served no function in your mother’s belly. But aren’t you glad you have them now? Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary, like nostrils on the preborn. Suffering. Loneliness. Disease. Holocausts. Martyrdom. Monsoons. If we assume this world exists just for pre-grave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so.

But what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Corinthians 4:17 CEV).

—FromFearless

Heavenly Father, we don’t have to look far to find tragic events in this world. They are prevalent and puzzling and perplexing. They don’t make sense, and they fill our hearts with sorrow. Help us look at these events from an eternal perspective. Remind us that even tragic events serve your purpose. Use our troubles and trials to shape us for a heavenly life with you, amen.

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He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.–Daniel 6:27

O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be . . . our salvation also in the time of trouble.–Isaiah 33:2

Written in the same style as Jesus Calling®, Jesus Today™contains all-new devotions for a hope-filled walk with God. Born out of missionary Sarah Young’s own trials, JesusToday shows that hope shines brightest in adversity. Grow in grace, hear from God, and walk with Jesus Today.